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Chapter 3: All Friendships Start with Tea

(Annabelle)

"Your brother?"

"He's caught… the same plague my father died from," I choked out. "His letter says that he's okay right now, but that's how my father started; he didn't last long after that."

"And how old is he?" he breathed in disbelief.

"Only 9," this statement brought the tears back. Completely forgiving my impropriety, he handed me his handkerchief which I gladly accepted.

What I didn't understand was why this young man continued to hold and comfort me. He had never met me before and yet it was if he cared for me. He didn't speak to me again but merely wrapped his arms all the more tightly about me, making me feel safer than I had in a long time. I lost myself in him until I heard the clock in the bell tower ring.

"Oh no! I must be going," I cried standing up, remembering my duties of caring for the princess—she was probably done with her tutor by now.

"Wait where are you going?" he asked, with some unexplainable anxiousness in his eyes.

"I have been shirking my responsibilities, my break lasted longer than I wanted," I explained, wiping my eyes dry. I turned to leave but remembered what I had borrowed. I walked back to where he now stood and held out the handkerchief. "Thank you for sitting with me. I would have never expected so much kindness from a stranger I had never met." I blushed at his now intense gaze.

"Oh please, keep it, just in case you need it again," he replied softly, "and I would be happy to do it again." It was then that I noticed just how handsome he was. He had dark chocolate hair that waved and curled about his ears, matching his unbelievably dark eyes. Freckles danced about his cheeks and accentuated his strong jaw line. He was built strongly and stood about a half a foot taller than me.

Breaking the powerful silence between us he murmured, "What's your name?"

"Annabelle."

"Annabelle…" he repeated quietly.

"But I suppose you can call me Anna. After all, I did cry all over you." I managed a small smile. This earned a chuckle from him.

"Oh and I'm Edmund, at your service," he finally announced, gently taking my hand and brushing his lips against it. I smiled weakly with a polite curtsy and turned once more towards the exit, shoving my letter into my apron pocket, and stealing one last glance behind me. He was still watching me leave. I turned my head away again determinedly to hide the deep scarlet that had probably spread across my cheeks. Walking into the cold corridor, I left him behind, with only his dark, playful eyes to haunt my thoughts.

Edmund…. Where have I heard that name before? Edmund…, I wondered to myself. But I remembered all too quickly. I stopped dead in my tracks and went to the wall for support. It's not just Edmund. It's PRINCE Edmund, heir to the throne of Cruania. Oh this is fabulous, wonderful! I can't believe I… Oh why on Earth did I… This isn't happening… I… I just made an utter fool out of myself in front of a PRINCE! Oh, way to go Anna… you've really done it this time. I mentally kicked myself repeatedly and stalked off towards the princess's chambers where she would be waiting for me to watch and entertain her.

Quite frankly I didn't mind Princess Lydia; she was lovable and quickly gaining my affections. She actually reminded me of Kitty. Her blond hair and stunning blue eyes were bittersweet to me as they brought back memories of the home I left. She was eager to learn anything she is given by her tutors and seemed to think that I was given to her as a new sister.

The darkly lit corridors still felt cold and uninviting, making me miss my home more than ever. I passed several knights and guards and of course bowed my head like the proper, lowly servant I was. Everything about this place made me feel small and helpless. Subconsciously my mind brought me the feeling of the sun on my face and Prince Edmund's arms around me, filling me with warmth. Feeling a little better, I finally reached the nursery, only to be virtually attacked with hugs.

"Miss Anna you're just in time for tea!" she cried. "And this time I will serve you!" she exclaimed with excitement that was forever present in her eyes.

"Oh Highness, I don't think that that's a good idea. Is there anything else you would like to play?" I quickly replied, not wanting to get caught being served by the princess.

"Oh no, it will be so much fun! You will pretend to be the princess while I pretend to be the maid!"

"Yes... It's 'fun' to serve the tea," chuckled an elderly maid as she passed. "Oh," she stopped and turned back to me with a smile, "I wouldn't worry about it. Go ahead and let her indulge you. Relax while you can."

I giggled and replied, "I guess you're right," as she left.

"Well then, Princess," I turned to see the little girl in her deepest curtsy, "How would you like your tea?" she asked politely.

"Hmmmm," I loudly pondered, taking on my role, "I think I will have it 32 sugars!"

She let out a series of hysterical giggles and cried, "You can't have 32 sugars!"

Feigning frustration I sighed, "Fine… then how about 2?"

"Much better, Miss Anna—I mean your Highness!" she laughed. After a quick tickle from me she scurried off to go get the tea. With a contented sigh I slid into a chair by the table and collected myself from the emotional turmoil I was going through. This had already been a long day.

I heard a knock on the door and went to answer it, but before I could get there, it cracked open and a head peeked through. Prince Edmund. I could tell by his expression that he was just as shocked to see me as I was to see him, but it almost seemed to be a pleasant shock for him.

"Oh sorry, I was looking for my sister," he finally sputtered out, stepping into the room.

Before I could reply, I heard a squeal ring out behind me, "EDMUND!" Lydia ran up to him with her skirts flying and jumped into his arms. He grinned and spun her around, causing them both to laugh. I could only smile at the scene, noticing all the while how deep and melodic his laugh was.

"Oh Edmund you have to have tea with Miss Anna! I've made her the princess and now I'm the maid!"

"Well, if that's the case," he formally responded after setting down Lydia, "then it would be my honor to dine with you, Princess, if you'll have me." He bowed deeply and kissed my hand, looking up with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Well, I suppose I can bare the company," I managed to play along with a small giggle. Inside I just screamed with embarrassment. I have just humiliated myself in front of him and yet he's smiling at me like that! I thought. He took my hand again and led me swiftly to the table, pulling my chair out for me.

When Lydia finally ran away to get the tea, I whispered to him, "Prince Edmund if you have things to do it's alright. You can leave and I'll explain for you." I looked down into my hands shyly.

"No, no. Quite frankly I was looking for a way to hide from my Ayorthian tutor," he replied with a grin that surely made my face turn as red as an apple. How does he do this to me? Then he smiled brightly and looked me straight in the eyes. "Oh, and I suppose you can just call me Edmund. After all, you did cry all over me."

AN: Hoped you liked it! CONTEST ALERT! Subconsciously, I named two similar characters after characters from my favorite book in the world. What are the names and what book are they from? THE FIRST PERSON TO COMMENT THE CORRECT ANSWERS GETS A HINT ABOUT LATER EVENTS IN THE STORY (and is mentioned in the next chapter)!

AGAIN PLEASE FOLLOW/FAVORITE/REVIEW/LEAVE QUESTIONS/SEND ME COVER PHOTOS/SAY HI :) I will love you forever